With one hand full, I TOIL for more…

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9
All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor manhave who knows how to conduct himself before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

in the Net Bible:
 All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach yet his appetite is never satisfied! So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive? It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind.

I chase the wind of a thinner body, cleaner house, healthier choices, finished projects, peaceful relationships, etc. I long to treasure the feeling of everything in my life in order. I seek tasks more frequently than the ongoing peacefulness of being in communion with my Savior Jesus. My Vanity streak in my heart is thick. God is loving me as I repent of the preoccupation of my self and my “toiling.”

God has enabled me to enjoy Him. Treasures in HIS kingdom last, not things on earth. IT is so easy for me to replace contentment in that knowledge with worry and toil. My Father knows my needs and is graciously providing His Grace each day- so that I can continue to work.

Contentment is not wrapped up in being “ok” with the material possessions we have or the season we are in. Contentment is a peaceful heart in light of seeing the meaninglessness of earthly strife, and putting hope in the Savior in and through it all.

My husband wrote this song from Ecclesiastes on this topic 5 years ago: IT is really great!
http://www.marshillchurch.org/Audio/meaningless_parsons_062203.mp3

1 Timothy 6:6-8
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

“If I aspire to anything, it should be serve my God and King. I must to learn to seek his kingdom first.”

Posted on 9 November '09 by , under Heart Distractions.